Ruby Godfrey Downes, 88, of Morgantown passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. She was born to Robert Cline and Flarie Stump Godfrey on December 6, 1921. Parts of Ruby’s early years were spent in Gilmer County where she and her sister attended a one-room school. Ruby married her high school sweetheart, James Richard Downes, on December 13, 1939 and graduated from Morgantown High School in 1940. They chose to build their home and raise their children and grow old together right here in Morgantown.
A beautiful woman inside and out, Ruby spent her entire life giving, loving, and caring for her family. Her children and grandchildren could always count on her to lend an ear as they shared their accomplishments as well as their concerns. Her response was always full of loving suggestions and kind encouragement. A lover of animals, Ruby enjoyed sharing stories about the pets she had growing up and of course loved petting and giving treats to her many “granddogs” and “grandkitties.”
Ruby served for many years as Superintendent of Sunday School and Director of Bible School at Spruce Street United Methodist Church where she and her husband were active members for over 60 years. Additionally she gave of her time and talents by serving as homeroom mother, Brownie Scout and Boy Scout Leader.
An avid sewer, Ruby made and mended many articles of clothing for her children and husband as well as her self. She also made numerous braided rugs out of discarded wool garments. Another of her passions was working in her flowers as well as her garden.
Her three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive ruby. Her children include daughters Rubyann Downes, and Dixie Lee DeSantis and husband Robert, son James R. Downes, Jr. and wife Margaret all of Morgantown. Grandchildren include granddaughters Amanda Brooke Downes of Greenville, NC; Amia Lee Downes of Atlanta, GA, and Autumn Felice DeSantis of Morgantown. Grandsons include John Anthony “Jad” DeAngelis II, Jarrett Ramer “Jack” Hall II and wife Riki all of Morgantown, and James R. “JR” Downes III and wife Cassie of Carmichaels, PA. Great grandchildren include Michael McKinley Nestor, Amy Elizabeth Hall, and Maggie Lee Moore all of Morgantown. One sister Ruth DeAntonis of St. Augustine, FL, as well as a sister-in-law Virginia Camisa and brother-in-law John Dixon Downes II, both of Athens, TN, and a sister-in-law Donna Downes of Westerville, OH.
Her husband, J. Richard Downes Sr., her parents, her Father and Mother-in-law, John Dixon Downes and Madeline Hinkle Downes, 3 brothers-in-law George DeAntonis, Sr., Louis Camisa, and Dr. Robert H. Downes; a sister-in-law Nell Riggs Downes and one granddaughter, Angela Marie Nestor, predeceased Ruby.
Visitation will be at McCulla Funeral Home in Westover from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday January 21, 2010 and from 10:00 a.m. to the time of the funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Friday January 22, 2010. Reverend John Allen will conduct the funeral service. Burial will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
The family appreciates floral tributes, but if you choose in lieu of flowers donations in Ruby’s name can be made to Tender Loving Care Hospice, 246 Cheat Road, Morgantown, WV 26508 or to Spruce Street United Methodist Church, 386 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26501.
John Eugene Duda, 58 of Westover passed away on Friday, May 15, 2009 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. John was born in Jere on June 18, 1950 a son of the late Stanley and Bertha Delegorz Duda.
John attended University High School and then joined the Army, serving in Vietnam. John was employed for 32 years at Cumberland Coal Resources and was a member of the UMWA Local 2300. John was an avid golfer and always looked forward to his vacations and annual golfing trips to Myrtle Beach. John loved to cook and it was his dream to open a Sub Shop in Myrtle Beach upon retirement.
John is survived by and devoted to his wife of 36 years, on May 26, Bonye Kay (Tina Baliker) Duda, his two children, Ashlea Duda and Jeffrey and wife Suzie (Daft) Duda and their children Shane and Tristen, his sister Mary Ellen Snider and husband Ed, two brothers, Louis and wife Mary Lou (Bennett) Duda and Randy Duda all of Morgantown, his mother-in-law Lorinda Croston Baliker of Georgia, several nieces, nephews, and cousins and his two best friends, his canine companions, Maggie and Gigi.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home from 7-9 PM on Sunday and on Monday from 3-5 & 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at McCulla Funeral Home with Pastor Fred Tomlinson officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery with graveside military honors conferred by WVANG Military Funeral Honors, Camp Dawson and the Westover VFW Post # 9916.
Marie Adele Duff, 35, of Riverview Avenue, Westover, died Friday, May 8, 2009.
Adele was born June 2, 1973 in Hof, Germany, daughter of Bill Duff Jr. and Petra Duff.
She was raised for 16 years by her mother in Germany and then came to America to live with her father. She attended Morgantown High School, Fairmont State University and was working on her Master’s Degree in Journalism at West Virginia University.
Adele was a high-spirited, extremely loveable and adorable person. She enjoyed the world and doing things just to try them. She was a risk taker and never sat back watching other people try things without trying it herself. She was a truly international woman and a pleasure to be around.
Adele is survived by her mother, Petra Schuessler and husband Peer of Hof, Germany, and her father, Bill Duff Jr. and wife, Tara R. Roberts of Westover; her two lovely children, Jeremy J. Hunter and Domenique D. Hunter; sisters Louisa C. Duff of Columbus, Ohio and Suzana Rizek of Den Haag, Netherlands; grandmother Leda Duff of Star City; and a host of cousins, aunts and uncles and a great uncle.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Bill Duff of Star City; grandmother, Maria Lhotova of Liberec, Czech Republic.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 1:00 PM until the 3:00 PM Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, you can make donations to her children at Centra Bank, 990 Elmer Prince Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Katherine Irene “Kitty” Dumire, age 85 of the Golden Living Center, Morgantown passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born July 20, 1923 in Rock Forge a daughter of the late William Rudolephus and Fannie Ellen Sollars Shillingburg.
Katherine had been the owner of Giovannis Pizza and had worked as a baker for Aunt Jennies and Rays Pastries. She had also worked at Star City Glass and was a member of the Riverside Apostolic Church.
Katherine is survived by three sons and spouses, Jack L. and Betty Dumire of Brookhaven, Robert S. and Dorothy Dumire of Charlotte, MI, and William L. and Ann Dumire of Jacksonville, FL, one daughter and spouse, Margie and Herbert G. Roby of Bruceton Mills, one sister, Helen Menefee of Farmington, ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Katherine was preceded in death by her husband Odis R. “Bill” Dumire, four sisters and five brothers.
Friends may call at the Riverside Apostolic Church on Dents Run Blvd on Saturday from 10:00 AM until noon and from 2:00 PM until the 3:00 PM Funeral service with Pastor David Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Cemetery.
Arthur G. Deavers, age 71 of Woodland Terrace, Morgantown passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the Golden Living Center. He was born July 28, 1936 in Morgantown a son of the late Howard and Mamie Martin Deavers.
Arthur was retired from the WVU Physical Plant.
He is survived by two sisters, Kathryn Lowther and Pam Deavers both of Morgantown and six brothers, Roger Deavers, Robert Deavers, and Allen Deavers all of Morgantown, Cecil Deavers of Fairmont, Dan Deavers of Chicago, IL, and Larry Deavers of Florida.
Two brothers preceded him in death.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Thursday from 5:00 PM until the 7:30 PM Funeral service with Pastor Matthew Chapell officiating. McCulla Funeral Home will provide cremation services and burial will be at a later date.
Lauren Alexandra Eaton, 24, of 113 Botecelli Ct., Martinsburg, WV and currently of Wheeling, departed this world on Saturday, January 23, 2010, in Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, WV. She was born on August 20, 1985, in Wheeling. Lauren was a 2004 graduate of Wheeling Park High School and trained at Leon’s Beauty School in Greensboro, NC. She was licensed in 2005 and worked in salons in High Point, NC, Martinsburg, WV, and Wheeling. She was currently a student at WVNCC.
Lauren was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Robert and J. Louise Eaton, and her aunt Deborah J. Hinerman. She is survived and dearly missed by her parents, Bob and Toni Eaton of Martinsburg, WV, her sister, Amanda (Thomas) Eaton-Burge of Chattanooga, TN, her maternal grandparents Eugene and Armanda Magnone of Benwood, her aunts and uncles, Maria (Scott) Walls of Morgantown, WV, Eugene (Lorella) Magnone of Bethlehem, Peter (Kate) Magnone of Seattle, WA, and Mark P. Hinerman of GlenDale, cousins Michaela, Kenny, and Meghan Hall of Morgantown, Adriana and Gina Magnone of Bethlehem, Jia Magnone of Seattle, WA, Mark R. (Leigh Ann) Hinerman of High Point, NC., and all who knew and loved her.
Private funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at McCulla Funeral Home in Morgantown.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lauren’s favorite charity, Locks of Love, 234 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405, a non-profit organization that creates hairpieces for those who have lost their hair to cancer and other diseases.
Francis I. Eddy, age 61 of Hagans Road, Rivesville passed away Friday, December 12, 2008 at Monongalia General Hospital. She was born September 27, 1947 in Morgantown a daughter of the late Edward “Bub” and Helen Kirby Knicely.
Francis was a retired cook from the Monongalia County Board of Education and had been last employed at North Elementary. She loved all arts and crafts, especially ceramics and was an extraordinary cake decorator. She was also a member of the former Homemakers of Hagans group.
Francis is survived by her husband of forty-four years, Paul O. Eddy, four daughters and two spouses, Kimberley and Michael Valentine of Avon Lake, OH, Jennifer Eddy of Lorain, OH, Sandra and James Harwood of Sheffield Township, OH and Cladette “Gay” Eddy of Lorain, OH, one son and spouse, Norman and Stephanie Eddy of Elyria Township, OH, one son from another mother, Brian Hilling of Hagans, six sisters, Ardie and Ray Brown of Florida, Jean Holt and Bob Bell of Spraggs, PA, Bonnie Bell of Holbrook, PA, Mae and George Michael of Hagans, Patty and Ed White of Blanchard, Idaho, and Kathy and William Ross of Rivesville, two brothers, Donnie and Sharon Knicely of Priest River, Idaho and Robbie Knicely of Hagans, grandchildren, Jolene Eddy, Douglas Eddy, Helen Eddy, Jessica Eddy, Michael Haslage, Jevon Armstrong, Melissa Armstrong, Brittany Harwood, and Paul Harwood, one great grandson, Conner Eddy and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Francis was preceded in death by one grandson, Jason Eddy.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 PM Monday at the McCulla Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at the McCulla Funeral Home with Pastor Isaac Harmon officiating. Burial will follow at Brewer Cemetery.
Peter N. Fanok, age 93 of West High Street, Westover passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at his home. He was born March 26, 1917 in Jeanette, PA a son of the late Stephen and Catherine Patriski Fanok.
Peter was a graduate of St. Francis High School and proud member of the undefeated football team of 1935. He was employed as a coal miner for Consolidation Coal Company and was a retired supervisor for MSHA. Peter was a World War II United States Army Veteran, serving in the European Theatre and was a member of the Westover United Methodist Church. He was a fifty year member of the Morgantown Union Lodge No. 4 AF & AM and the OSIRIS Shrine Temple in Wheeling.
Peter is survived by one son, Stephen R. Fanok and wife Kay of Morgantown, two daughters, Janet Milstead and husband, Larry of Des Plaines, IL and Louise Cesa of Martinsburg, two sisters, Eva Harmon of Brandywine, MD, and Mary Holbert of Rock Springs, WY, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Peter was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Bako Fanok.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday from 1-4 PM and on Monday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM at the McCulla Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin Cain officiating. Burial will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
Lester Feathers age 90 of West Long Branch, NJ formerly of Westover passed away Friday, August 28, 2009. He was born March 13, 1919 in Kingwood a son of Ann Brewer.
Lester had been employed in the housekeeping department of Monongalia General Hospital and was a member of the Cornerstone Community Church in Kingwood. Lester also served his country during World War II as an Army Sharpshooter.
Lester was an outgoing loving person, who truly had a zest and passion for life. His motto was “ I will get around to it the 1st.” He enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, being with his friends at Bob Evans Restaurant, but his greatest enjoyment came with being a loving father, father-in-law and “Big Pappy” grandfather. He was very much loved and will be truly missed.
Lester is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, with whom he made his home, Kay and Roger Linger of West Long Branch, NJ and their children Brandy Bennett and husband John, Starla Barina and husband Michael and Shania Rodriquez, one daughter Ruth Savage of Westover, one son Lester Feathers Jr. of Ohio, twelve additional grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, lifelong friends, Kenneth Barnett of Dellslow and Clyde Grimm of Morgantown and all his beloved friends at Bob Evans Restaurant.
One daughter, Linda King, preceded Lester in death Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home on Sunday from 6-8 PM on Monday from 10:00AM until 11:00 AM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday at McCulla Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. David Spence officiating. Burial will follow at Pisgah Cemetery with graveside military services provided by Westover VFW Post # 9916 and WVANG Funeral Military Honors, Camp Dawson.
Homer Burr Fortney, age 92 of Master Graphics Road, Morgantown passed away Sunday, August 17, 2008 at Monongalia General Hospital. He was born April 11, 1916 in Fortneys Mill, WV a son of the late James Jousha and Rosa Bell Bock Fortney.
Homer was a retired coal miner. He loved to refinish furniture and was a Christian by faith.
Homer is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Ethelda Swanger Fortney; three daughters, Meredith Jones Bannick and husband Rudy of Farmington, WV, Candace Fortney of Morgantown and Sharlene Fortney of Morgantown; one son Homer Fortney of Cooksville, TN; one sister Esther Belle Fortney Colvin; eight granddaughters; two grandsons; nine great granddaughters; six great grandsons; and one great great grandson.
Homer was preceded in death by one son James Fortney, two sisters Letha Fortney Edson and Loila Fortney Adams, and three brothers Albert Fortney, Paul Fortney and Archie Fortney.
Funeral services were held at the McCulla Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM with Pastor William Page officiating. Burial followed at the Beverly Hills Mausoleum.
